Flexible Outsourcing with a Strategic Revit Partner

by Kuldeep Bwail Director, XS CAD Limited

Production support through offshoring is fast becoming the norm, rather than the exception, in the Western construction industry. This is especially so for Revit outsourcing. Offshore drafting with Revit and offshore Revit modelling provide a host of benefits for construction firms looking to effectively build a thriving business practice. This is based not only on the flexibility of Revit itself, but the advantages that come with the flexible nature of workflow in outsourced projects. Carefully assessed Revit pilot projects can lead to long-term strategic Revit partners, enabling overall profitability.

To better understand how this could be so, it's worth considering the services that can be expected from the use of Revit's many capabilities. Revit CAD support and Revit MEP support can provide CAD drawings, drafting, 3D models, construction documents and 3D MEP (M&E) coordination.

When considering Revit, it must be understood that Revit is more than a simple drafting program; it is a versatile, dynamic database. It facilitates the storage of all project data in a single project file, allowing several users to change and edit on the same file and merge those changes. These changes are incorporated throughout the project, so that any change in any specific view is automatically updated in all views. Revit helps develop a comprehensive set of drawings that is flexible to represent changes. When the model changes, corresponding section views, elevations and schedules are also updated and require no changes or refreshing. Revit can help facilitate design, procurement, safety, construction, pricing, ongoing maintenance, facility management and more.

The advantages of Revit are that it can:

• Reduce field cycle time
• Increase coordination and collaboration
• Encourage shorter turn-around time (TAT)
• Minimise waste
• Increase on-site renewable options
• Improve error detection and mitigate risk
• Increase public confidence
• Increase employee productivity

Both a library of families and the solution of one-off concerns can be created in Revit. As far as modelling, Revit is not only a tool for modelling; it is part of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) process. This essentially means that, beyond the modelling of the building, Revit enables users to programme the model to host data in great detail, which can be utilised at different stages of the design procedure. For example, a wall may hold information about its material, reinforcement or fastening requirements. This BIM process is useful for documentation, construction administration, building and facilities management.

Flexibility in outsourcing construction design and development looks beyond modelling. When greater time is spent on incorporating data into models during the Design Development phase, the overall time consumed in construction documentation and construction administration is reduced. It changes how people work in the AEC industry and significantly improves workflow.

As competition for large and more prestigious projects becomes increasingly fierce, many AEC firms are considering the feasibility and desirability of Revit BIM outsourcing services. Consideration can logically only lead to the conclusion that offshore drafting and design services in Revit produces greater efficiency for businesses and increases customer satisfaction due to flexibility, consistency and the meeting of deadlines.

Outsourced services for BIM architectural models delivered using the flexibility of Revit offer the following benefits:

• Technically qualified experts with experience on various types of Revit BIM projects bring greater levels of engineering capability, helping in the growth of business and future bids.
• Extensive knowledge of Revit tools and their capabilities is needed for precise, intelligent BIM models. When outsourcing, Western firms need not hire, train or supervise expensive CAD technicians.
• Overheads and salaries in offshore companies are significantly less than those of Western companies. This global market arena for design, drafting and modelling makes it possible for Western firms to be more cost-effective.
• Precise BIM drawings and meeting deadlines consistently boosts customer satisfaction, improving professional reputations.
• Outsourcing decreases/eliminates investment in expensive hardware

For cost-effective construction, Revit BIM services can be planned well ahead. BIM modelling teams can produce detailed clash-free 3D models, duct work and wiring can be ideally placed and mock-ups of the construction by Revit BIM allow effective planning, material transfer and labour coordination, all of which adapt easily to any unforeseen changes during the design process.

Outsourced Revit Services

Outsourced firms can offer detailed and accurate Revit drawings, drafting and models in adherence to local standards and codes. Using BIM, Revit resources have helped complete interference models, identifying clashes between structural and MEP elements. Additional Revit BIM services offered are:

• AutoCAD-to-Revit conversion
• Construction documents set creation
• Development of 3D Revit models
• Conversion of PDF drawings to 3D Revit
• Revit structural drafting
• Creation of structural Revit models for clash detection
• Revit MEP drafting
• Revit MEP model design

One of the great advantages of outsourcing is that it affords Revit drafting resources at a reasonable cost, whether the resource required is a single drafting resource or a team of Revit designers, draftsmen, 3D Revit modellers or BIM consultants. Revit outsourcing can supply highly qualified and experienced Revit drafting professionals with in-depth industry knowledge. Firms can thus quickly adapt to new project implementation.

Another flexible aspect of outsourcing is that resources can be hired on a need basis. For example, studios can be set up by outsourcing firms specially for homebuilders and construction firms. Similar to an extended in-house design team, the offshore studio is equipped to provide Revit resources that are quick to adapt to changes and flexible in their output.

Significance of a Strategic Partnership

A strategic partnership takes shape when two companies enhance one another due to the business assets and expertise each possess. Relationships with outsourcing firms can develop into strategic partnerships when the businesses concerned strive for mutual gains. One such strategic outsourcing partnership involves firms that provide engineering, manufacturing or product development services and a partner that provides specific and well-qualified technical expertise. These partnerships not only grow both businesses involved, but also provide solutions to specific hurdles that improve the functions of both. Organisations can use performance-based business models for strengthening strategic partnerships. This way, both firms become stronger over time.

So, what does a long-term outsourcing partner offer?

Fundamentally, outsourcing specific services allows firms to redirect their time, focus and resources to generating further income, while saving operational and labour costs. Choosing an effective outsourcing partner is essential to making strategic partnerships work. Some of the necessary qualities are:

Experience

The management and delivery of past projects by outsourced companies and their portfolios and testimonials are indicative of the company's product knowledge and professionalism.

Staff Qualifications

Are the outsourcing company's personnel adept in using Revit? Can they deliver your requirements? Revit involves getting things right at the onset in order to improve efficiency, and the human resources handling specific projects must be technically sound users of Revit.

Flexibility

Different time zones, communication options and business models must be considered in the partnership equation. Partners must be able to adapt to the required business structure, schedules and processes. Ideally, they must also offer a range of services and be flexible in its delivery.

Communication

Language and communication are essential for successful projects and transactions. An ideal partner should be conversant with the business requirements and also with partners. The language used is important for ease in communication and producing accurate and precise services.

Technology and Online Collaboration

With the advent of online file sharing that allows two parties in distinct locations to view and work on the same file, the use of collaborative online working tools makes the outsourcing process feel more controlled and provides customers with access to the outsourcing partners progress and activity on live projects. Additionally, as outsourcing firms are always keen to maintain their position as a partner they are constantly seeking to use new technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can speed up work or improve quality. This type of approach means that customers can benefit from technology even without investing time and effort into the tools that are increasingly being introduced in the market due to technological advancements.

Quality

Outsourcing partners should possess well-known and established international quality credentials. A clear Service Level Agreement (SLA) must state the scope of the work and the process flow and offer quality assurance.

The Right Outsourcing Partner for Revit

Finding the right Revit partner is crucial. Besides the qualities mentioned above, some of the requirements for an effective Revit partner and offshore CAD team, in particular, are:

• Culture in the firm - focus on delivery of Revit services while meeting Western standards
• Relevant Revit software and hardware
• Confidentiality in delivery of services using Revit
• Costs of services delivered using Revit
• Morale of employees using Revit
• Pilot projects delivered using Revit

Determining the right outsourcing Revit partner can make all the difference in improving businesses and acquiring greater profits. The flexible nature of outsourcing Revit services begins with flexible nature of Revit itself, but it does not end there. Outsourcing firms using Revit have years of experience and high levels of technical expertise to deliver a range of services on schedule, even when the schedules change and the requisite type of services change. The can-do attitude of these firms goes a long way in making this possible and outsourcing a Revit pilot project offers live production support that could develop into a long-term strategic business partner.

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Created on Jun 27th 2018 03:19. Viewed 461 times.

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